Content Summary
More than 300 miles of navigable inland waterways wind through palatial estates, citrus groves, and the unique and exotic Everglades—beckoning boats of all sizes and shapes. It is the Intracoastal Waterway—stretching south to Miami—and the waterfront homes which dot it, that have earned Greater Fort Lauderdale its reputation as the “Venice of America.”
Sun-seekers from all over the world come to Fort Lauderdale to play, relax, and sometimes even to work. Although long thought to be only for the “rich and famous” that can afford luxurious lifestyles, loyal visitors know that the area offers a wide variety of accommodations and experiences.
Fort Lauderdale FAQ
What is Fort Lauderdale’s weather like? The weather in Fort Lauderdale is nearly perfect, although somewhat unpredictable. The water gets chilly in the winter, but it can still get warm enough to lay on the beach.
When is hurricane season? The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30, with the highest storm probability occurring from August through October.
Is Fort Lauderdale still a popular spring break destination? Not so much. “Where the Boys Are,” the 1960 hit feature film, brought spring breakers flocking to Fort Lauderdale. However, by the mid-1980s, the city was tired of its rowdy reputation and discouraged spring breakers by banning open containers in public. Consequently, developers began drawing a classier crowd by sprucing up the beach, opening trendy restaurants and boutique hotels.
Is it true that Fort Lauderdale is a popular gay and lesbian vacation destination? Yes. Once the cheap hotels and fast-food eateries along a one-mile strip of Ocean Drive were replaced by trendy restaurants and upscale shops, the city began marketing to more sophisticated travelers, including gay and lesbian visitors seeking an upscale tropical getaway.
Getting to and Around Fort Lauderdale
When planning your Fort Lauderdale vacation, how you’re going to get there is an important consideration. First, you’ll need to decide if you’re going to drive or fly.
If you decide to fly into Fort Lauderdale, you’ll want to go directly to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
Fort Lauderdale is located in the center of South Florida’s Gold Coast, situated midway between Palm Beach to the north and Miami to the south. The Greater Fort Lauderdale area spans 1,200 square miles, including over a half-million acres of Everglades on its western edge, encompassing Deerfield Beach and Pompano to the north and Hollywood and Hallandale Beach to the south. Therefore, the region incorporates 30 cities.
Once you arrive in Fort Lauderdale, you’ll find an array of transportation options for getting around and seeing the sights beyond your rental car. Public transportation includes a bus service with 40 routes covering around 410 square miles. Furthermore, pedicabs, motorcycle rentals, and water taxis provide fun ways to explore the area.
Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale boasts approximately 33,000 hotel rooms from Hollywood to Deerfield, including several newly developed hotels conveniently located near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Port Everglades, and the Broward County Convention Center.
In terms of room size, at Marenas Beach Resort, conveniently located near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, you will find excellent value for your travel dollar compared to any of those charming Art Deco hotels or fashion-forward resorts further down the beach.
If you want romantic accommodations, consider these hotel choices:
- The Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale’s first luxury hotel on the beach.
- The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the first hotel in Broward County to receive AAA’s 5 Diamond Award.
- W Fort Lauderdale Hotel, the largest hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach, featuring two towers and over 500 units.
- Marenas Beach Resort, convenient to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, providing spacious suites with kitchens, balconies, and a private beach.
While other options exist in this gay-friendly locale, those seeking gay and lesbian accommodations should consider the Royal Palms Resort. As North America’s first and only full-service gay hotel, this 62-room resort, set in a tropical oasis, offers a spa, gym, café, and bar among other amenities that opened in early 2011.
Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale
There’s a lot to do in Fort Lauderdale beyond just laying on the beach (although you’ll want to do that too!). You can find world-class shopping, casinos, boat tours, and more.
Attractions
Butterfly World, located in Coconut Creek, encompasses 10 acres of aviaries, botanical gardens, and butterflies. It holds the title of the largest butterfly park globally and is the first in the Western Hemisphere.
Jungle Queen Dinner Cruise tours the historic New River, featuring Millionaire’s Row and offers a stop to see rare birds, monkeys, and alligator exhibitions. The three-hour tours operate daily.
Gaming
Coconut Creek Seminole Casino offers guests a day of gaming with a variety of slots and poker, plus dining that includes casual options in either an all-you-can-eat buffet or table service.
Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach is Florida’s premier Thoroughbred horse racing track; it hosts prestigious Triple Crown races, including the Florida Derby, along with two floors of casino action adjacent to the track.
Dania Jai Alai features the world’s fastest game — Jai Alai (pronounced Hi Li) — along with poker and simulcasting of dog and horse racing.
Isle Casino Racing at Pompano Park offers live harness racing, along with slots, poker, and simulcasting of Jai Alai, harness racing, and Thoroughbred competitions.
The Big Easy Casino in Hallandale Beach features live Greyhound racing, slots, poker, simulcasting, and several dining options.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino serves as a destination featuring spacious accommodations, luxurious amenities, and entertainment just minutes away.
Seminole Indian Casino in Hollywood was the first high-stakes gaming operation in the country when it opened in December of 1979. Today, it operates as a 24-hour gaming facility.
Shopping
Riverwalk is an upscale shopping and entertainment district and park located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s downtown along the New River. Cafés, restaurants, trendy shops, and clubs host frequent events, making this a bustling area for locals and visitors alike.
Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise is Florida’s largest mall, featuring over 350 shops.
Tours
Carrie B Sightseeing Cruises offer three 90-minute cruises daily. Explore yachts and the homes of the wealthy, alongside cruise ships from around the world at Port Everglades.
Las Olas Gondola Tours provide romantic 75-minute tours that require reservations in advance.
Water Taxi tours offer a leisurely cruise along Fort Lauderdale’s famous waterways, featuring 14 stops. Visitors can access the beach, shop and dine on Las Olas Boulevard, and see cruise ships at Port Everglades.
